Is poverty a choice? before i answer that, id like to first ask- what is poverty? there can be many different applications of the word as many different non-tangible aspects of an individuals life can be deemed as impoverished (financially, spiritually, physically, mentally etc). but to avoid this all, and make an all incompencing definition as best as possible. i see poverty as the inability to choose.. the lack of options. the most prevalent view of poverty revolves around the financial so let us focus on this. i have recently been reading a few books on financial stability and the acquisition of wealth. and after speaking with an advisor of mine in a out of school program- it became very clear to me that in the american society, money = options. and having options equal happiness. it was stressed to me not to view money itself as happiness, but moreso the abundance of options it provides. speaking to this man (a man from the gang riddled streets of chicagos southside who later became a multi-millionaire) who knew both the tales of limitations and abundant options caused me to more appreciate the relationship of happiness and options.
that being said, no poverty is not a choice... its a circumstance what is a choice, is whether or not you choose to accept and dwell in these circumstances. or fight to overcome them. and i say fight for a reason.
I agree. Opportunity (options) is critical. What we need to ask ourselves is what creates these opportunities for a person. I think that once we are honest with the dynamics of providing options for our youth we may understand what needs to be done...or something more effective will be done.
ReplyDeletewhat comes first would have to be a level of awareness (videos like the distribution of wealth in America help.. and a general sense of the world around us- as you eluded to some people never even straying into the streets of downtown.. unacceptable) all of which would open eyes.. which would eventually lead to a sense of dissatisfaction.. and hopefully a strive for correction. but we're often distracted.
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